USS Wayne E. Meyer Deploys To Western Pacific

The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer is set to depart Naval Base San Diego on Thursday, for an independent deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

The 509-foot-long Meyer carries a crew of about 300 officers and enlisted sailors, who will provide maritime security, according to the Naval Surface Forces public affairs office.

"USS Wayne E. Meyer and her crew have spent the last year and a half preparing for this upcoming deployment and we are excited to be headed to the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility," said Cmdr. Randy J. Van Rossum, the ship's commanding officer. "We are ready to execute the missions required of us."

The Arleigh Burke-class ship was named for the late Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, who is regarded as the "Father of Aegis" for his service as the AEGIS Weapons System Manager and later his development of the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project Office. The ship last deployed in 2011, returning in February 2012.

The sailors of the Wayne E. Meyer and other ships in the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis strike group helped with the draw-down of U.S. forces in Iraq, thwarted an attempted pirate attack on a Bahamian-flagged cargo vessel and freed a group of Iranian mariners from the suspected pirates.